Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Silly, fun parody of noir films, with some bullying.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
Trying to emulate his father, Sam Steele Jr.(Jacob Hays) runs the JR. DETECTIVE AGENCY, where he goes around his neighborhood trying to solve cases involving "bullies and thieves," with mixed results. Meanwhile, a mysterious French-accented thief known only as "The Cat" (Luke Perry) is stealing jewelry and art from museums all over Des Moines, and Sam's father is one of the detectives trying to crack the case. When new girl in the neighborhood Emma teams up with Sam and comes across an important tip, it's Sam Jr.'s chance to try and catch the elusive thief before he steals an original Michelangelo painting.
Is It Any Good?
Jr. Detective Agency is most enjoyable when the 13-year-old aspiring detective has internal monologues attempting the hard-boiled noir-speak of Raymond Chandler novels. It's ludicrously cute as he does this, and it nearly makes up for the phoned-in French accent of Luke Perry, to say nothing of the terrible acting of the second-tier characters.
Still, as a kid-version of noir, Jr. Detective Agency has enough charming moments to be entertaining for both kids and adults.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Sam's interest in becoming a detective. Talk about some of the choices he makes in pursuit of his dream. How do his friends and family help him along the way? What lessons can kids learn from Sam's adventures?
Who does Sam admire in this movie? Do you think his role models are positive ones? Who are your real-life role models?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : January 4, 2011
- Cast : Jacob Hays , Luke Perry , M. Emmet Walsh
- Director : Tom Whitus
- Studio : Screen Media Films
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Adventures
- Run time : 86 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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